Description
Extreme heat is increasingly shaping public health and daily mobility in cities, yet the transit infrastructure many residents depend on remains poorly equipped to provide protection from heat exposure. Bus stops represent a critical but overlooked site of climate vulnerability within the public realm.
Existing bus stop conditions across New Haven reveal recurring deficiencies in thermal comfort, accessibility, maintenance, and rider amenities.
Cool Shelters, driven by students in the Yale Urban Design Workshop, reimagines the bus stop as a climate-adaptive public space by replacing parking spots with mass timber shelters that prioritize user comfort. The design features an adjustable wall, minimal parts, ease of construction, and potentials for enhancement and multi-usability, offering a practical, sustainable framework tailored to New Haven and beyond.
